Is LivingAfterWLS Sweet Without Sugar?

Weighing the Options: What is the best sweetener for LivingAfterWLS? Artificial Sweetener? Sugar? Sugar in the Raw? Consider the facts before making your selection.

by Kaye
I hope you are enjoying the December Special issue of our newsletter "You Have Arrived." The issue, "Holiday Cooking" included a 20-page recipe attachment full of delicious, healthy and WLS friendly holiday recipes. Eight of the recipes are for sweet treats which seems counterintuitive to all we know about life after weight loss surgery. For gastric bypass patients sweets pose the danger of dumping. For lap-band patients sweets are easily tolerated which can lead to snacking, grazing and weight gain.

So why would I include sweets in a WLS friendly recipe supplement? After WLS we are supposed to avoid sweets altogether, right? And what about the Splenda option in place of sugar? Here is what I know about sugar, Splenda and making it all fit together after WLS.

The Sweet Tooth:
According to Dr. David Katz in his book "The Way to Eat" a sweet tooth is not a matter of "will power" it's a matter of genetics. Early humans found sugar was a quick source of energy when they consumed it in the form of fruit, honey and sugar cane. So the tendency to like sweet is in our genetic code. But the difference today from then: sugar is now highly processed and in abundant supply.

Dieters consider sugar evil and blame sweets for weight gain. According to Dr. Katz "Sugary foods are often high-fat, calorie-dense foods as well; the pleasant taste of sugar stimulates high intake while the fat does much of the damage in terms of calories, weight gain and adverse health affects."

I like that Dr. Katz's attributes our genetic code for the sweet tooth - in my pre-WLS dieting life I considered myself a weak failure for having a sweet tooth. Unfortunately, my bariatric surgeon didn't fix my genetic code for sweets. But what did happen during the early post-op and the weight loss phases is my interest in sweets waned. I believe once I was off the carb-fat-sugar roller coaster my body adapted to the more nutritional diet without processed sweets.

Limit Sugar For Health:
General health guidelines indicate we should limit sugar intake, particularly processed sugar. Dr. Katz advises "Make some general commitment about the acceptable place of sweet foods in your diet." He adds, "Such a commitment is only as good as your follow-through, of course. But making decisions about tempting foods at a time other than when you are tempted is a good strategy in general."

For WLS people with gastric bypass that commitment is firm - most patients will get sick (dumping) if they consume sugary products. Lap-band patients don't live with that fear, they need some personal resolve to limit or avoid sugar products. For all of us the desire to maintain our weight loss should be a good motivator.

Sugar Substitutes:
So far we have two facts: 1- We are genetically coded to desire sweets and 2- We need to limit sugar intake for our health. Could two facts be more contradictory?

A variety of artificial sweeteners are available from the sugar alcohols (Sorbitol, Xylitol and Mannitol) that cause gas and bloating problems to the non-nutritive sweeteners such as Saccharine, Aspartame and Sucralose (Splenda). Dr. Andrew Weil, author of "The Healthy Kitchen" is concerned about the use of artificial sweeteners. In his book he says, "In the first place, there is no evidence that they help anyone lose weight, although that is why people use them…Second, most of them taste funny. And, most important, the highly popular ones may be harmful." He sites studies that link Saccharin and Aspartamine to health problems.

Dr. Weil recommends sucralose, sold under the band name Splenda. He said, "It tastes better than aspartame and appears safer."


Splenda, Sugar and WLS Diet:
In general nutritionists working with WLS patients agree Splenda is an acceptable sweetener for patients when used in moderation. (Moderation - that word comes up a lot in our WLS food discussions!)

In the recipe supplement I noted that the recipes can be adjusted to use all Splenda or a blend of Splenda and sugar. Using a blend of sugar and Splenda produces the best results for texture and moistness yet cuts half of the calories and carbohydrates. Using all Splenda eliminates all sugar calories, however, some consumers say using all Splenda results in an unpleasant after taste and unappealing texture. Using all sugar is not an acceptable option for WLS patients for reasons already noted.

Knowledge, Moderation, Occasion
Ultimately, the key to including sweets in the WLS lifestyle is knowledge, moderation and occasion.

• Know what is in the sweet product you are eating. The Sweets recipes in the holiday supplement contain other nutritionally beneficial ingredients while eliminating or at least decreasing the sugar and fat.



• Moderation: a small serving is fine. Scientific studies indicate a craving can be satiated with a modest portion eaten slowly and savored. I have found my occasional chocolate craving can be satiated with one Andes' thin mint - think about it! One mint - 26 calories and 2.6 grams of sugar, 1.6 grams of fat.



• Plan your occasions when you know you will indulge and then indulge wisely. Know the kind of sweetener used in your treat, know your serving size and know you will stop when that serving is consumed. At first it isn't easy but with diligence planned occasional treats can be included in your WLS lifestyle.

Love your new diet:
Finally, rather than focusing on all the beloved lost foods spend time enjoying and loving your new way of eating. Dr. Katz said, "Even though you were born to like sugar, if your diet shifts, step-by-step to one richer in nutrient-dense, calorie-dilute, natural foods, there will simply be less place for processed sugar in your diet."

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